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Hamburg Court Opens Sicherungsverfahren in Killing of Author Alexandra Fröhlich

Prosecutors describe a psychosis-driven hammer attack that could lead to psychiatric commitment.

Overview

  • The proceedings began on November 4 at the Hamburg regional court, focusing on the defendant’s criminal responsibility rather than a conventional prison sentence.
  • According to the indictment, the 23-year-old is accused of striking his sleeping mother at least 30 times with a carpenter’s hammer on April 22 on her Moorfleet houseboat.
  • Prosecutors say the act occurred during a psychotic episode exacerbated by drug use, prompting the court to pursue a Sicherungsverfahren.
  • The presiding judge signaled that parts of the trial, including closing arguments and the defendant’s final word, may be closed to protect his privacy.
  • The defendant, who called police around 05:20 that morning and was arrested two weeks later in Rothenburgsort, remains in pretrial custody.